I Paid for My Opinion

Robert Burton, CEO of Greenwich, CT-based Burton Capital Management and a major benefactor to the University of Connecticut, wants his money back. In a letter to UConn athletic director Jeff Hathaway, Burton (shown, at right) claimed his opinions were ignored and that he did not approve of the way Paul Pasqualoni was recently selected to replace departing coach, Randy Edsall, asking the school to return $3 million in donations and remove his family name from its football complex. He called the flawed search process "a slap in the face and embarrassment to my family," and said he planned "to let the correct people know that you did not listen to your number one football donor." A college player at Murray State and a 19th round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 1962, Burton said although he was not seeking veto power in the hiring, he "earned my voice on this subject" as the program's top donor. UConn granted Burton an honorary doctorate degree in 2000 and his family has given more than $7 million in donations for scholarships and other programs to UConn, including $2.5 million in 2002 to kick off construction of the football complex. Apparently, love may be the only thing money can buy.

Ready for His Close-Up

Joining notable actors Harrison Ford, Brad Pitt, John Wayne, Will Smith and now California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant is set to become the first athlete to have his hand and foot imprinted in a ceremony next month at the world-renowned Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard. Also taking a turn at acting in a soon-to-be released Robert Rodriguez mini-movie in conjunction with Nike and the NBA All-Star Game, Bryant stated that the recognition is quite and honor and induction ceremony "cool," though he has yet to even visit the theater as a tourist since moving to Los Angeles in 1996. For those who would debate whether Bryant's game-day performances on the Staples Center stage are truly "acting" or just "Kobe being Kobe," the (foul) line has been crossed.

Dude, Where's My Car?

The often-misguided notion that pro athletes are intellectually challenged took another step toward legitimacy this week, thanks to English Premier League star Jermaine Pennant. Pennant, 28, who joined Arsenal by signing a $3.19 million contract as a 15-year-old, has a collection of sports cars, and apparently forgot he owned a Porsche, leaving the luxury car at a train station in Spain for six months. Questioned by authorities, it was unclear when or even whether he would be reclaiming the vehicle. Makes you wonder where he kept his keys.

It's Getting Hot in Here

The National Lacrosse League’s Boston Blazers president and general manager Doug Reffue promised there would be changes to its halftime entertainment after fans became enraged at seeing the team's mascot, Scorch, receiving lap dances near midfield from three women, reportedly not affiliated with the team, at the indoor lacrosse team’s home opener Saturday night. The women did not actually remove their clothes, but the antics emulated the sort of moves commonly associated with strip clubs. "The halftime act... was clearly not executed according to plan,” Reffue wrote on Facebook, saying there would be no repeat performances. Let's hope not.

Bells Will Be Ringing

Perhaps success isn't the only thing that may be going to Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby's head. Coach Dan Bylsma said that although he was progressing, Crosby will miss his fifth consecutive game this weekend in Boston because of a concussion and not be allowed to return to the rink until he is symptom-free. Crosby was sidelined after taking hits to the head in games against the Washington Capitals in the Winter Classic on January 1 and against the Tampa Bay Lightning four days later. Although a female fan in full bridal attire just last night professed her undying love publicly in Calgary, the only bells Sid the Kid may still be hearing right now are the loud ones ringing between his ears.

Hoops, Interrupted

At least two people were taken to the hospital and dozens of fans screened by emergency responders after a foul odor from a ventilation unit sickened several players and spectators at three-year-old Ridgeland (SC) High School. No serious injuries were reported and foul play was not suspected, according to Mayor Gary Hodges. Between 200 and 300 people were at the game when the unit kicked on, sickening a basketball player and then others, with illnesses ranging from nausea and vomiting to skin irritation. Maybe people will start paying more attention during those halftime interviews the next time a coach says, "we're really stinking it up out there tonight."

Gee Whiz: A Sign for the Times

Just days after the feel-good story of the year involving Ted Williams broke in Ohio(see post below), multiple billboards appeared in Columbus congratulating TCU on its Rose Bowl defeat of Wisconsin, 21-19. The not-so-veiled message poked Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee for his less-than-flattering comments in late November about the quality of non-automatic qualifying schools such as TCU and Boise State and their schedules. "I do know, having been both a Southeastern Conference president and a Big Ten president, that it's like murderer's row every week for these schools," Gee said. "We do not play the Little Sisters of the Poor. We play very fine schools on any given day. So I think until a university runs through that gauntlet that there's some reason to believe that they may not be the best teams to [be] in the big ballgame." The power of outdoor advertising at its finest.

Back to you, Ted

Homeless after a life and career marred by drug and alcohol abuse, Ted Williams, 53, has been offered a job by the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers after his tale, revealed by local media, became an overnight Internet sensation. Gifted with a deep and emotive voice, the ex-radio announcer and father of nine is getting a second chance, a two-year contract, housing and living expenses from the Cavs who were touched by Williams' ordeal, said Tracy Marek, the team's senior vice president of marketing. NFL Films, which has chronicled pro football for nearly 50 years, also wants to contact Williams, the golden-throat recently living in a tent on the streets of Columbus. Stay tuned, we'll be right back with more after these messages from your local sponsor.